DOE proposes $3.5 million in efficiency penalties

The Energy Department on Monday proposed 27 new penalties worth more than $3.5 million for companies failing to enforce energy efficiency requirements for appliances.

The proposed fines filed against the companies — including General Electric, Daewoo International Corp. and Sanyo Electric Co. — may be reduced if they quickly comply with certification requirements regarding federal energy efficiency and water conservation standards.

Companies must address claims within 30 days or the department will file action with either the federal district court or an administrative law judge.

DOE General Counsel Scott Blake Harris said it was an “unprecedented number of cases” dealing with the department’s conservation standards.

The 27 companies include manufacturers, importers and private labelers of appliance, plumbing and lighting products.

Departmental officials touted Monday that its appliance standards enforcement effort over the past year has removed 66 products from the market that failed to meet its standards, and initiated 75 investigations and actions that include Monday’s announced new penalties.